Meghan Markle ‘Deeply Distressed’ Over Child Abuse Material Allegations Against Her Father
The Duchess of Sussex stated she has not allowed her father contact with her children for years to protect them.
Meghan Markle stated on Friday that she is “deeply distressed” by accusations that her father, Thomas Markle Sr., allegedly possessed child sexual abuse material. She described the news as “sickening” and reiterated that she has distanced herself from him for years to protect her own children.
“I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed,” Markle said in a statement shared with HuffPost. “In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me. It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated.
“I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them,” she continued.
Markle added that she believed authorities were properly investigating the allegations and expressed hope for justice and the protection of children.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed to HuffPost that they are “aware of media reports that officers from the Met’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command were involved in the passing on of a letter in 2018.” A spokesperson stated, “We are undertaking enquiries internally in an effort to confirm this.” The police are not currently investigating Thomas Markle Sr.
The allegations were first made public on Thursday by The Sun newspaper, after Markle’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., reported finding “hundreds, if not thousands” of child sexual abuse images at their father’s house in the Philippines. Thomas Markle Jr. told The Sun that he reported his father to authorities after being horrified by the material.
Authorities in the Philippines confirmed to Reuters that they are investigating Thomas Markle. Thomas Markle Jr. also reportedly contacted the FBI. The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for further details.
Markle Sr. denied the allegations in a statement to the Daily Mail, calling them “a bunch of lies” and expressing hurt and upset over the accusations.
Meghan Markle’s relationship with her father has been strained since her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. Her father did not attend the wedding following reports that he had staged paparazzi photos for profit. He admitted in a 2020 documentary that he continued to profit from those photos.
Markle and her father have reportedly had no contact since, although Markle Sr. has frequently spoken to the press. Prince Harry has stated he regrets the estrangement, saying in a documentary, “It’s incredibly sad what happened; she had a father before this and now she doesn’t have a father.”